Key Takeaways
- H-1B holders can accomplish this business goal — with appropriate legal structure and capital from Bankable
- The SBA's March 2026 citizenship rule eliminated H-1B access to the most common funding sources for this use case
- Bankable funds H-1B businesses up to $5M based on revenue alone — no green card, no citizenship test
- 48-hour funding decisions — built for business timelines, not government bureaucracy
- Check your Bankability Score in 30 seconds — no SSN upload required
A traditional business line of credit from a bank provides revolving access to capital: draw when needed, repay from revenue, draw again. For H-1B business owners, accessing traditional bank revolving lines is extremely difficult — banks require permanent residency or citizenship for most commercial credit facilities above $50,000. The SBA's line of credit program (SBA CAPLines) is now fully closed to H-1B applicants under the March 2026 rule. Bankable's tranche-based structure provides an equivalent function: revenue-based capital that is accessible on an ongoing basis as the business demonstrates repayment consistency.
| Funding Source | H-1B Eligible? | Max Amount | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) — March 2026+ | No — US citizens only | $5M | 30–90 days |
| Traditional Banks | Rarely | Varies | 3–6 weeks |
| Bankable | Always yes | $5M | 48 hours |
For industry-specific context, explore our H-1B funding hub. For the full SBA alternative landscape, see our SBA alternative guide. And start with your Bankability Assessment to see your preliminary funding range in 30 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not from traditional banks or the SBA in most cases. Bankable provides a revenue-based tranche facility that functions similarly to a working capital line for H-1B business owners.
Bank lines are revolving credit facilities with drawn balance, interest, and a fixed credit limit. Bankable's tranches are funded advances that are repaid from revenue over a defined term, with subsequent tranches available upon repayment.
48-hour decision from completed application. Subsequent tranches (after repaying the first) are processed in 24 to 48 hours based on repayment history.
Bankable provides cumulative funding up to $5M. Initial facilities are sized based on 3 to 6 months of documented revenue, with subsequent increases as repayment is demonstrated.
No. Bankable has zero residency requirements. H-1B, L-1, O-1, and other work visa holders all qualify for funding assessment based on business revenue alone.
Effective March 1, 2026, the SBA requires 100% US citizen or national ownership for all 7(a) and 504 programs. H-1B holders are completely excluded regardless of revenue or credit history.
48 hours from completed application. The Bankability Assessment at /bankability-score/ takes 30 seconds and gives a preliminary range immediately.